The Tigers head into the AFF Suzuki Cup month with just three wins in 11 matches, leaving the friendly against Papua New Guinea on the eve of the competition a must-win match to raise the morale of the team.

Malaysia looked on course to build a decent side after their 6-0 aggregate win over Timor Leste in June, but off-field incidents have weakened the side in just about every department on the pitch.

Senior players Safiq Rahim, Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak, S. Kunanlan and Amirul Hadi Zainal decided they had enough of international action despite being in the peak of their careers, while an apparent row with Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) has weakened the Tigers further after none of the club’s first-eleven were called-up in October, fuelling speculation that Malaysia will not have their services in November.

Malaysia desperately need to solve their midfield woes before the Suzuki Cup, or else Ong’s men could be there for the taking. Recent friendlies against Indonesia and Singapore exposed Malaysia’s frailties.